a new poll finds 50% of americans think president obama and congress will reach a deal in time but that number has dropped in the past week. president obama plans to cut short his family vacation in hawaii leaving for washington late tonight. yesterday, he spoke to troops at a marine corps base in hawaii. >> on behalf of michelle and myself and our whole family we do this every year. this is where i was born so we come back for the holidays but one of our favorite things is always coming to the base on christmas day and having a chance just to meet you, those of you who have families here and to say thank you for the extraordinary work and service that you guys do each and every day. >> chip reid is in washington with more on the budget talks. chip, good morning. >> good morning, rebecca. as you mentioned, the president plans to cut short his vacation in hawaii and fly back to the white house later tonight, arriving about noon thursday. here in washington there has been no communication between republicans and democrats about how to avoid going over the cliff. before the christmas break